What do you think?
Rate this book
The Practice of Spiritual Direction
Paperback
Published June 1, 2009
10 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
William A. Barry
42 books34 followersWilliam (Bill) Barry, a distinguished spiritual director and author, was born in Worchester, MA. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1950, studied philosophy in Germany from 1953 until 1956, and was at Weston College for theology studies from 1959 until 1963. Ordained a priest in 1962, Barry went on to earn a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan in 1968.
In 1969, he began teaching psychology at Weston School of Theology, Cambridge, MA, and in 1971 was named director for the Center for Religious Development. He served in both capacities until 1978, when he was put in charge of formation for the New England Jesuit Province. Barry was the Assistant Director of Novices for the Province (1985-88) when he was named Rector of Boston College.
From 1991 to 1997, he served as Provincial of the New England Jesuits. Following that, he was named co-director of the Jesuit Tertianship Program. Barry directs retreats at Campion Center in Weston, MA.
Despite such a busy and committed life, Barry found the time to write 15 books, including The Practice of Spiritual Direction, God and You, Finding God in All Things, Spiritual Direction and the Encounter with God, Who Do You Say I Am?, With an Everlasting Love, and A Friendship Like No Other.
Barry has the rare ability to present complex spiritual issues in clear, well-written prose. He is one of the most influential Ignatian commentators at work today.
In 1969, he began teaching psychology at Weston School of Theology, Cambridge, MA, and in 1971 was named director for the Center for Religious Development. He served in both capacities until 1978, when he was put in charge of formation for the New England Jesuit Province. Barry was the Assistant Director of Novices for the Province (1985-88) when he was named Rector of Boston College.
From 1991 to 1997, he served as Provincial of the New England Jesuits. Following that, he was named co-director of the Jesuit Tertianship Program. Barry directs retreats at Campion Center in Weston, MA.
Despite such a busy and committed life, Barry found the time to write 15 books, including The Practice of Spiritual Direction, God and You, Finding God in All Things, Spiritual Direction and the Encounter with God, Who Do You Say I Am?, With an Everlasting Love, and A Friendship Like No Other.
Barry has the rare ability to present complex spiritual issues in clear, well-written prose. He is one of the most influential Ignatian commentators at work today.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 16, 2025
Helpful and practical for a spiritual director, though definitely not a page turner.
January 7, 2025
Definitely a good read in training for spiritual
direction. Felt a bit more clinical than Guenther and Pickering’s books. Also more priority was given to the direct we’d specific “prayer time”. I resonated a bit more with the other two aforementioned books, but definitely found this one very useful and will continue to go back and refresh my memory from them all.
direction. Felt a bit more clinical than Guenther and Pickering’s books. Also more priority was given to the direct we’d specific “prayer time”. I resonated a bit more with the other two aforementioned books, but definitely found this one very useful and will continue to go back and refresh my memory from them all.
March 24, 2024
I imagine I will find this a very centering read every year or two, as I continue on in this work.
Worth your time. I advise a slow reading.
Worth your time. I advise a slow reading.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews